Systems and methods for controlling iguana infestation

ABSTRACT

In accordance with one embodiment, the comprehensive systems and methods assists in creating an environment of controlling iguana infestation at the same time being harmless to people and pets. The Iguana Barrier creates a temporary wall (used on initial treatment of infested property). The Iguana Sea Wall Barrier prevents them from accessing property from the water. Our Iguana Piling Wraps prohibit access via the dock. The Iguana Tree Guards prevent iguanas from climbing up into trees. Our products and services have been proven to remove iguana from infested areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to pests, and moreparticularly to Iguana's.

2. Description of the Related Art

Iguanas are herbivorous lizards with exceptional vision native totropical areas of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. They rangein size between five (5) and six (6) feet long. Most people are familiarwith the common green iguana. These pets are non-native to North Americaand the infestation of iguanas in the United States have caused havocfor residents and native species.

South and Central Florida's subtropical climate allows these largeherbivorous (plant-eating) lizards to survive, reproduce, and becomepart of the Florida environment. Three large members of the iguanafamily (Iguanidae) have become established in south Florida.

Adult iguanas are herbivores feeding on foliage, flowers, and fruit.They will occasionally eat animal material such as insects, lizards, andother small animals, nestling birds and eggs. Juveniles eat more animalmaterial, especially insects, and hatchling green iguanas eat thedroppings of adult iguanas to acquire the gut bacteria that help themdigest plant material. Males are territorial against other males, butare not territorial against females and juveniles. These large lizardslike to bask in open areas, sidewalks, docks, seawalls, landscapetimbers, or open mowed areas. If frightened, they dive into water (greeniguanas and basilisks) or retreat into their burrows (spiny tailediguanas). This habit of diving into the water to escape makes greeniguanas very difficult to capture. Basilisks and anoles generally eatinsects and small vertebrate prey, but Knight anoles occasionally eatsmall fruits and flowers as well.

Damage caused by iguanas includes eating valuable landscape plants,shrubs, and trees, eating orchids and many other flowers, eatingdooryard fruit like berries, figs, mangos, tomatoes, bananas, lychees,etc. Iguanas do not eat citrus. Burrows that they dig underminesidewalks, seawalls, and foundations. Burrows of iguanas next toseawalls allow erosion and eventual collapse of those seawalls.Droppings of iguanas litter areas where they bask. This is unsightly,causes odor complaints, and is a possible source of salmonella bacteria,a common cause of food poisoning. Adult iguanas are large powerfulanimals that can bite, cause severe scratch wounds with their extremelysharp claws, and deliver a painful slap with their powerful tail.Iguanas normally avoid people but will defend themselves against petsand people that try to catch them or corner them.

Additionally, they defecate in common public areas such as pools, parks,playgrounds, and docks, causing health risks as their feces carrysalmonella. Moreover, the burrows they dig (up to 9 feet) underminesidewalks, seawalls, and foundations causing structural damage. Asvegetarians, the four-footed reptiles eat their way through landscaping.They sunbathe during the day and cozy up in treetops by night. They canlay as many as three dozen eggs in a single burrow. Although iguanas aredocile, there are many reported incidents where they have harmed petsand individuals. As with any species, they are territorial, the moredominant males will push the less dominant males to surrounding areas,which leads to infestation.

If you simply remove an iguana from a facility, another will come totake its place. Instead, an effective solution is to create anenvironment so the iguana decides against nesting on your property.Hence, there is a long pending need to have a system and method ofcontrolling Iguanas.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, the comprehensive systems and methodsassists in creating an environment of controlling iguana infestation atthe same time being harmless to people and pets. The Iguana Barriercreates a temporary wall (used on initial treatment of infestedproperty). The Iguana Sea Wall Barrier prevents them from accessingproperty from the water. Our Iguana Piling Wraps prohibit access via thedock. The Iguana Tree Guards prevent iguanas from climbing up intotrees. Our products and services have been proven to remove iguana frominfested areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, in which like numerals represent similar parts, illustrategenerally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, variousembodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method for controlling iguana infestation inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an element, a tree wrap, of a system for controllingiguana infestation in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates another element, a piling wrap and end cap, of asystem for controlling iguana infestation in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates another element, a fence barrier, of a system forcontrolling iguana infestation in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates another element, a wire-mesh deck barrier, of asystem for controlling iguana infestation in accordance with anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an elementor a plurality of elements having a particular property may includeadditional such elements not having that property.

To the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, the term“or” as used in either the detailed description or the claims isintended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” Thatis, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by anyof the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs bothA and B.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the subject matterdisclosed herein may be practiced. These embodiments, which are alsoreferred to herein as “examples,” be described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter disclosedherein. It is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined orthat other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical,and electrical variations may be made without departing from the scopeof the subject matter disclosed herein. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents. In the description that follows, likenumerals or reference designators will be used to refer to like parts orelements throughout. In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used,as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. Inthis document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or,unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment”are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence ofadditional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments“comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having aparticular property may include additional such elements not having thatproperty.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method for controlling iguana infestation inaccordance with an embodiment. An iguanas are creatures of habit, whensimply removed the iguana from a property, another will come to take itsplace. Instead, an effective solution is to create an environment so theiguana decides not to nest on your property. The method provided createsa holistic environment to prevent iguana's infestation, while beingharmless to occupants of the property including humans and pets.

The steps of FIG. 1 starts with marking a boundary for the property orarea that is to be protected from the Iguanas infestation. Next, theprocess includes locating the different elements that are active iniguana infestation. The different element that may contribute to theiguana infestation are the land based access or sea/water based accessto the said land. In some instances the iguanas can climb a verticalstructure close to the land and contaminate the land via fecal matter orgain access to such land by jumping inside the boundaries via elevatedplatforms.

Introduce a vertical climbing barrier systems for controlling iguanafrom climbing vertical elements. FIG. 2 illustrates an element, a treewrap, of a system for controlling iguana infestation in accordance withan embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates another element, a piling wrap, of asystem for controlling iguana infestation in accordance with anembodiment. The method involving the climbing barrier includes attachingone or more than one of horizontal plates to the vertical structures.These plates forms a continuous wrap or sleeve around the climbingstructure covering a width of the vertical structure. These verticalstructure may include Dock Piling, trees, electric poles, or the like orany combination thereof.

It may be possible that when this vertical barrier system is attached toa tree or piling or the like, that the uneven surface of the tree or therap provide for a space between the vertical barrier and the body of thevertical structure. This space may be large enough in some instances toallow iguanas to crawl through the space and across the verticalbarrier. Such space may leave a wrap ineffective in preventing theiguanas from gaining access to the top of such vertical structures. Themethod described in the subject matter herein provides for a step toovercome these spaces.

The cavity/space formed under the surface of the vertical barrier due tothe uneven surface may be further protected by placing a mesh in thecavity and filing the cavity with foam. For example, the mesh is formedinto a basket the size of the cavity and placed inside the cavity soprevent iguana from crawling between barriers. For additionalprotection, the cavity is filled with spray foam thereby remove allaccess for iguanas. Spray foam is a chemical product of materials whichbubble and expand up to 280 times its liquid volume after it is sprayedin place. This expansion makes it useful as a specialty packing materialwhich forms to the shape of the product being packaged and produces ahigh thermal insulating value with virtually no air infiltration. The

The vertical barrier wrap may be made of a high-density polyethylene(HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD). Additionally, the barriermay be UV treated. For example, the smallest sheet/plate for thevertical barrier may be thirty by thirty inch in size. The roll of thesheet may be up to 350 feet. The color of the sheet may be a close matchto the color of the vertical structure. The steps involved in selectingthe sheet may involve measuring the circumference of vertical structureat a point where the wrap/sleeve/vertical barrier is to be installed.For example, the point of interest for installing the wrap may be wherethe angle of the vertical structure is greater than forty five (45)degrees or more, or above other foliage which would allow iguana toclimb past the barrier. For aesthetic purpose the wrap may be installedat a same height for all vertical structures. If multiple plates areused, they are overlap by at least 3 inches making a straight lineedges.

For another example, the vertical barrier may be used for dock pilingbarrier. Similar to the previous method, measure the circumference ofthe dock piling just below support beams. As long as the high tide doesnot allow water to touch the vertical barrier. If high tide causes waterto reach barrier, then raise barrier to cover supports and trimaccordingly. Overlap by 3″ making a straight line edges or trim excess.One example for fastening the barrier to the piling may be to use adrill to create hole in wrap and piling and insert tabs.

Introduce a land fence barrier systems for controlling iguana fromwalking via land. FIG. 4 illustrates another element, a fence barrier,of a system for controlling iguana infestation in accordance with anembodiment. The method may further include configuring an iguanaspecific fence attachment. This fence attachment will prevent iguanafrom climbing any fence thus restrict the iguanas from crawling overland to gain access to the land being protected.

The attachment comprises one or more than one of horizontal platesattached to at least the fence's outer face at a certain height abovethe ground with soft/matt side of the plate forming the unattached side.In an optional embodiment of the subject matter described herein, thefence attachment is placed both outside and inside the fence.

The fence attachment plates form a continuous band around the entireperimeter of the fence. Optionally, the fence attachment plate is atleast half the average toe to toe length of iguana. For example, theattachment plate is at least three inch high. The fence is a PicketFencing with the spacing between the vertical boards is at least twoinch or less. Additionally, the height at which the horizontal platesare placed is at least one and a half feet above the ground.

Introduce a burrow barrier systems for controlling iguana from layingeggs and digging a tunnel system underground. FIG. 5 illustrates anotherelement, a wire-mesh deck barrier, of a system for controlling iguanainfestation in accordance with an embodiment. The subsurface barriercomprises creating an anti-hole barrier. The anti-hole barrier furtherincludes locating the hole, widening the area to a two feet by two feetwith the hole in the center of the widened area, collapsing the hole andplacing a two feet by two feet piece of mesh, covering the area withdirt. For example, the mesh is a half inch squares, galvanized metalnineteen gauge, welded, metal mesh.

For the anti-hole barrier dig around the hole being careful to keep holeintact. Dig down approximately 1 foot and widen area to two feet by twofeet area with the hole in the center. Cut mesh piece to fit the area(2′×2′). For example, the mesh maybe ½″ squares, 36″ tall, galvanizedmetal mesh with a nineteen gauge, welded metal. Collapse hole and coverwith mesh. Cover entire area with dirt and monitor following week forany activity.

Optionally, the burrow barrier may be a water wall barrier comprisingpreventing seawalls access by iguanas by placing a wrap over hole in seawall. Then securing the wrap to hold in place such that the wrappreventing iguanas from digging holes further and also from climbing thewalls. For example, the wrap is a cut of size eight inch by fifteeninch. This may be a best case where allowed but not less than twelveinch high.

In one example, the wrap may be attached to the wall using a rivet. Theuser may use a hammer drill to make half inch (½″) deep hole with aboutquarter inch (¼″) diameter for inserting a rivet. Place wrap over holeand use punch to make hole in wrap. Next step may involve placing thewrap over the hole in sea wall and punching rivet to hold wrap in place.These rivets may be place both at the top edge and bottom edge of thewrap. Further example may involve placing the rivet every 8″ along topof wrap (which is placed within ½″ of top f sea wall on water side ofseawall) and place rivet every 16″ on bottom within ½″ from bottom edge.Place all rivets so they are in equal spaces from each other and offersuniformed appearance. Continue placing the wrap until you reach the endof seawall.

Introduce a sea wall barrier systems for controlling iguana fromclimbing into waterfront properties from the water. The water barriercomprises an end cap created for an overhanging seawall preventingiguanas from climbing across the sea wall. The end cap is a smooth acuteangled cap on the edge of the wall wherein the cap is at an acute angleto the sea wall's vertical side.

The end cap may measure from six inch (6″) over hanging sea wall tofence/wall barrier/etc. on property. The process of a sea wall mayinvolve measuring down four inch (4″) from edge of overhanging sea wall,measure back from this point to sea wall face. Cut a PVC sticks to fitand assemble “square” with tab overhanging seawall. Assemble with angeland flat braces. Attach mesh to one side. Take 12″ strips and cover topand side edge overhanging seawall with zips. Anchor into seawall withscrews and brackets. PVC should previously be painted the color of wrapbeing used.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. While the dimensions, types ofmaterials and coatings described herein are intended to define theparameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting and areexemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope ofthe invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, theterms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also toenable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodimentsof the invention, including making and using any devices or systems andperforming any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the variousembodiments of the invention is defined by the claims, and may includeother examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such otherexamples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if theexamples have structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages ofthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for protecting a property from aniguana, the method comprises: marking boundary for the property or areato be protected by the Iguanas infestation; locating different elementsthat are active in iguana infestation; providing the said property witha land base barrier at the perimeter of the land area preventing theiguanas from walking on the surface of the land to travel to into theprotected land; providing the said property with a subsurface barrier soas to prevent the iguanas from digging burrows to enter the protectedland area; providing the said property with a water barrier so asprevent iguanas from tunneling to protect structural integrity of theprotect land area; and providing the said property with a climbingbarrier to protect the iguanas vertically climbing nearby walls or treesand enter the said protected land area.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprises configuring an iguana specific fence attachment toprevent iguana from climbing such fence, .wherein the attachmentcomprises a plurality of horizontal plates attached to at least thefence's outer face at a certain height above the ground with soft/mattside of the plate forming the unattached side.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the fence attachment plates forming a continuous band around theentire perimeter of the fence.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thefence attachment plate is at least half the average toe to toe length ofiguana's in the area.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fence is aPicket Fencing with the spacing between the vertical boards is at leasttwo inch or less.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the height at whichthe horizontal plates are placed is at least one and a half feet abovethe ground.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofhorizontal plates are place both outside and inside the perimeter fence.8. The method of claim 1, wherein subsurface barrier comprises creatingan anti-hole barrier, the anti-hole barrier comprises locating the hole,widening the area to a two feet by two feet with the hole in the centerof the widened area, collapsing the hole and placing a two feet by twofeet piece of mesh, covering the area with dirt.
 9. The method of claim9, wherein the mesh is a half inch squares, galvanized metal nineteengauge, welded, metal mesh.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein waterbarrier comprises preventing seawalls access by iguanas by placing awrap over hole in sea wall and securing the wrap to hold in place, wrapspreventing iguanas from digging holes further and also from climbing thewalls.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein water barrier comprises an endcap created for an overhanging seawall preventing iguanas from climbingacross the sea wall.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the end cap isa smooth acute angled cap on the edge of the wall wherein the cap is atan acute angle to the sea wall's vertical side.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein the climbing barrier comprises attaching a plurality ofhorizontal plates to the vertical structures, wherein the plurality ofhorizontal plate forming a continuous wrap or sleeve covering a width ofthe vertical structure.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein an unevensurface under the wrap or sleeve forming a cavity, placing a mesh basketin a cavity, filling the cavity with spray foam.
 15. A system forprotecting a property from an iguana, wherein the system comprises: aland base barrier at the perimeter of the land area preventing theiguanas from accessing the protected property via the land; a subsurfacebarrier preventing the iguanas from digging burrows to enter theprotected land area and from breeding; a water barrier so as preventiguanas from tunneling under the sea wall to protect the structuralintegrity of the sea wall and to prevent iguana's from climbing the saidsea wall; and a vertical barrier preventing the iguanas verticalclimbing on to the protected property from nearby walls or trees. 16.The system of claim 16, wherein the climbing barrier comprises aplurality of horizontal plates forming a continuous wrap or sleevecovering a width of a vertical structure.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein land base barrier comprises a fence barrier with an iguanaattachment, the iguana attachment comprises a plurality of horizontalplates attached to at least the fence's outer side, forming a continuousband around the entire perimeter of the fence, certain height above theground with even, leveled, or flat side of the plate forming theunattached side.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the subsurfacebarrier or a burrow barrier systems comprises creating an anti-holebarrier comprising a two feet by two feet mesh having a half inchsquares, galvanized metal nineteen gauge, welded, metal mesh.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein a water barrier or a sea wall barriersystems comprises an end cap on top edge of the seawall.
 20. The systemof claim 19, wherein the sea wall barrier end cap is at an acute angleto the sea wall.